BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Third Coast Paddling — a new retail destination dedicated exclusively to kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes, and related accessories — is hosting weekend-long grand opening festivities beginning on Friday, June 3, through Sunday, June 5.

The store is located at 241 E.. Main St. in the Benton Harbor Arts District, and was previously home to Yakz, which was purchased by Third Coast Paddling earlier this year.

All weekend long, select kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and other merchandise will be on sale, and door prizes will be awarded. The celebration will kick off at 4 p.m. Friday, June 3, with a ribbon cutting with the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce. The festivities will continue with a customer cook-out at the store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4.

Anyone interested in a new kayak or stand-up paddleboard is invited to a product demo scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 5 at Third Coast Paddling’s Paw Paw River rental site, located at 601 Graham Avenue in Benton Harbor next to Renaissance Athletic Club.

For a $10 registration fee, participants can paddle a variety of different kayaks and paddleboards on the river, and the fee will be applied toward their future purchase at Third Coast Paddling. Advance registration is required for this event by calling Third Coast Paddling at (269) 468-9399.

Third Coast Paddling offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals in four sites throughout southwest Michigan: in New Buffalo, at the Galien River boat launch, 17440 Red Arrow Highway, and at New Buffalo City Beach; in Benton Harbor, at the Paw Paw River boat launch, 601 Graham Avenue, and at Jean Klock Park Beach. Customers can purchase kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes, and related accessories at the Third Coast Paddling retail store, located at 241 E. Main Street in the Benton Harbor Arts District.

During open hours, rentals are available at each site on a walk-in basis, or groups of up to 70 people may reserve rentals in advance for events such as corporate retreats, team-building activities, youth programs, and parties. All equipment, including paddles and lifejackets, is provided at the rental sites, and trained staff members give groups an orientation.

Third Coast Paddling is an extension of the Third Coast Surf Shop brand, which includes two retail stores, at 212 State Street in St. Joseph and at 110 N. Whittaker Street in New Buffalo.

The Third Coast Paddling retail store is currently open Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 12 to 5 p.m.; after Memorial Day, the store will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays,

For more information about the Third Coast Paddling retail store or kayak or paddleboard rentals, call (269) 468-9399, visit thirdcoastpaddling.com, or follow Third Coast Paddling on Facebook and Instagram.